Lot 140
140
AN UNUSUAL PAIR OF SPANISH PERCUSSION TARGET PISTOLS with browned octagonal sighted rifled barrels chiselled with scrolling foliage in low relief on a matted ground on the muzzle and breech and signed on the top flat, patent breeches en suite and incorporating the back-sight, tangs en suite, flat locks decorated en suite, each signed within a martial trophy and with stepped tail, each hammer held by a stud engaging with its tail on the full cock position, figured half-stocks each carved with foliage in relief on the fore-end and fluted butt, iron mounts en suite with the locks, and vacant silver escutcheons, by Eusebio Zuloaga Arcabucero de S.M. en Madrid, circa 1850

Details
AN UNUSUAL PAIR OF SPANISH PERCUSSION TARGET PISTOLS with browned octagonal sighted rifled barrels chiselled with scrolling foliage in low relief on a matted ground on the muzzle and breech and signed on the top flat, patent breeches en suite and incorporating the back-sight, tangs en suite, flat locks decorated en suite, each signed within a martial trophy and with stepped tail, each hammer held by a stud engaging with its tail on the full cock position, figured half-stocks each carved with foliage in relief on the fore-end and fluted butt, iron mounts en suite with the locks, and vacant silver escutcheons, by Eusebio Zuloaga Arcabucero de S.M. en Madrid, circa 1850
15in. (2)

Lot Essay

Eusebio Zuloaga (1808-1898), son of Blas Zuloaga, and father of Placido Zuloaga, was one of the foremost 19th Century artists in decorated iron-work, including firearms and edged weapons. He exhibited at the Madrid Expositions of 1845 and 1850, the London Great Exhibition of 1851 at Crystal Palace, and the Paris Exposition of 1855, as well as undertaking major royal commissions. For a full account of the Zuloaga family see James D. Lavin, 'The Zuloaga Armourers', J.A.A.S., vol XII, No. 2 (September, 1986), pp. 63-148

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